Due
to unavoidable circumstances, the two speakers had to cancel
for tonight. We were very fortunate that Nancy Yeatts
attended the meeting and generously gave her time to report
news items that are of interest to Long Pond residents.

Treasurer Bren
Ladino gave the financial status and reported that we
have money in the Save the Pond Fund from the sales
of a variety of items. More fund raising items were sold
at the meeting -Save the Pond T-shirts ($10.00), Boat/Tote
bags ($12.00).

Sherri Biss
our President has moved out of state. We thank her for all
her hard work for the many years she served. We will be
waiting for nominations from the Board to fill the vacancy.

In the meantime,
Vice-president Dave Voye along with Bren Ladino,
ran the meeting.

Nancy Yeatts,
Lakeville Selectman and Executive Board Member of EOEA (Lakes
and Ponds)
Conservation Commission, Water Study Board, thanked the
many volunteers who were responsible for making the benthic
barrier installation a success.

Reported
that she has now given her third testimony regarding the
funding of the bill (Invasive Aquatic Plants Prevention)
by Rep Canessa to the Committee of Natural Resources.
Towns such as Lakeville thanks to the efforts of the Long
Pond Association having demonstrated a willingness to
help with these issues should get higher preference for
any funds.

The
Sewer project is ready to go having all studies completed,
but the 27 million needed for it is given as a 2% loan
and this makes it impossible for the residents. It will
require Federal and State funds or other sources.

The
Casino possibility will have a profound effect on us and
the surrounding communities in ways that we had not considered.
Nancy suggested that it should be a regional issue with
mitigation for towns such as Halifax where the well water
situation could be devasting. Schools, trains, housing,
water resources, and environmental impacts were some of
the topics she discussed. Lakeville may be faced wth requirments
for more 40-B housing. If New Bedford were to be chosen,
the city has a better infrastructure and we could potentially
have some negotiating power for obtaining help with our
water problems.

Selectmen
from local areas are visiting the casino towns near Uncasville,
CT, to learn about the effects that their residents have
experienced from the Foxwoods venture.

Little
Quiticas Pond had fanwart discovered in 1999 and today
has been completely infestated with the weed. There are
no boats on the pond and they are considering a Harvester
to help curb the problem.

Dave Voye,
(Long Pond Shores) distributed new Mass Lake and Ponds
Guides produced by the DCR Lakes and Ponds Staff. It
was obtained from staff members who are currently checking
boats and educating boaters at the ramp on weekends. He
informed us of a new threat known as Asian Clams which creates
problems for boats and inlets of the lake. They reproduce
and clog intlets and can be found in boat engines and outdrives.
They also compete for food with our native mussels and add
to our difficulties with our water environment.

Questions
were asked about a windmill and bridge that were possibly
being erected on an island on Long Pond. Nancy Yeatts assured
us that that would have to be brought before the Conservation
Board and a Public Hearing would be held.

Volunteers
were called for and we are pleased that some new members
were forthcoming. We will be calling on them and others
for help in moving the mats if this becomes a project.

We still need
the support of everyone living within the pond communities
in order for us to get to the solutions concerning our pond.
Thanks go to the Eagles and Winberg
Hardware for allowing us to use their facilities and
equipment for this meeting.